Chemical Society

The energy of the Chairman has been largely retponsible for the success of the Society's activities during the past six months. Two excursions, one to the Hutt Railway Workshops and one to Massey Agricultural College proved extremely popular. Three speakers from outside the College have given interesting and instructive talks: Mr. F. Caughley on Leather and Tanning; Mr. M. Tingey on Varnish Manufacture; Mr. Davis on Milk Analysis. The remaining lectures were given by workers in the department. Though attendance has been better this year than last, it is disappointing to see so few first-year students at the lectures, most of which are general in nature and interesting to those with even a superficial knowledge of chemistry.

The most successful and probably the most important lecture of the year was delivered by Mr. E. P. White. The cosmetic industry plays a large part in the life of the community, and in a country where there is little Government control of production or advertising, it is essential that everyone should be able to distinguish between the useful, the harmless, and the definitely injurious type of article. We learnt of thallium acetate—a harmful depilatory, and efficient as a rat poison; titanium dioxide, used in paint and in face powder because of its great covering power for rough surfaces; triethanolamine for emulsifying face creams, bitumen and cheese. But perhaps the greatest contribution to the success of the evening were the samples of cosmetics prepared by the Honour's Students. Cold creams, vanishing creams, latherless shaving cream, hand lotions were examined and sampled with interest; and perhaps we should mention a lipstick which all the tests at the disposal of the department, proved to be super-kiss-proof. At all events everyone—especially the Victoria House contingent—seemed to enjoy the talk, and it is to be hoped that the Society will continue to give occasional lectures of popular interest and importance.